Flight of the Navigator Mystery Cache

NFOs are not pilots (Naval Aviators), per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft. Until 1966, their duties were performed by officer and enlisted Naval Aviation Observers (NAO). At that time, the NFO designation was established and the insignia was introduced. NFOs are line officers, eligible for command in the naval aviation communities.

The counterparts to the NFO in the United States Air Force are the Navigator, Combat Systems Officer, Weapons Systems Officer, and Electronic Warfare Officer. Although NFOs in the Navy's E-2 Hawkeye aircraft perform functions similar to the USAF Air Battle Manager, their NFO training track is more in line with that of USAF Navigators and Combat Systems Officers.

The United States Coast Guard had a short-lived NFO community in the 1980s and 1990s when it temporarily operated E-2C Hawkeye aircraft on loan from the Navy. Following a fatal mishap with one of these aircraft at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard returned the remaining E-2Cs to the Navy and disestablished its NFO program.

Navigators also had various nicknames applied to them, some nice, some not so nice

They also have rules. Those rules will help you solve the puzzle

N50 55.ABC W001 0D.EFG

A - Never say you're sorry, it's a sign of weakness

BC - There are two ways to follow someone. (1) First way, they never notice you. (2) Second way, they only notice you PLUS Your case, your lead

DE - When the job is done, walk away PLUS There's no such thing as coincidence

FG - Never date a coworker PLUS Clean up your messes

This cache has been placed with the kind permission of the National Trust. Any caching on National Trust land is at your own risk.